Questions: A couple of weeks ago, your boss had a private conversation with you. She explained that the company's financial performance is poor, and the firm is looking at the possibility of layoffs. She then asked for you to help her determine whether positions in your division should be cut-and if so, which ones. After analyzing the situation, you believe that cutting jobs would almost certainly improve the company's profitability. However, several of the workers who are most likely to be cut are good friends, and you know they would suffer significant financial hardship if they lost their jobs. Your report to your boss is due tomorrow. It appears that you are facing an ethical dilemma.

The answer is ethical dilemma.

An ethical lapse refers to a situation where someone makes a decision that is clearly unethical or morally wrong. In this scenario, you are not necessarily making a decision that is unethical; rather, you are faced with a difficult choice that involves competing ethical principles.

An ethical dilemma occurs when a person is faced with two or more conflicting ethical principles or values, making it difficult to determine the right course of action. In this case, you are torn between the financial well-being of the company and the potential hardship faced by your friends if they lose their jobs. This situation requires you to weigh the consequences and make a decision that aligns with your ethical values.

Relative ethical standards suggest that what is considered ethical can vary depending on the context or culture. While this situation may involve different perspectives, the core issue is the conflict between two ethical principles, not necessarily the application of relative standards.

An ethical moot point refers to a situation where the ethical issue is debatable or not clearly defined. In this scenario, the ethical issue is clear: you must decide between the company's profitability and the well-being of your friends, making it more of a dilemma than a moot point.